Explains how instructors can use a journal assignment to facilitate and monitor student groups without directly participating in them. Shows how students learn how to run groups that succeed. (EL)

A Teacher Corps project conducted by the Edgewood Independent School District and Trinity University (San Antonio, Texas) is described. A classroom teacher at each participating school is trained to lead professional development activities at his or her school. Teacher involvement in designing professional development at each school is emphasized.…

Describes a small-group activity, the German "circle games," which turn grammatical exercises into meaningful communicative activities by introducing pantomime, props, and pictures for providing contexts. Students drill specific grammatical features while communicating real information. The multisensory experience and the contextualization of…

Describes a school district's efforts to make teachers, parents, and students more aware of the importance and fun of reading. (RL)

Results of a study indicate that beginning courses in college economics should be taught with fewer lectures and more student involvement. Current events and group activities should be an integral part of classes. (Author/KC)

Summarizes the important workshops of the 1996 Language Teachers Association of the Northern Territory, Australia. One workshop suggests that every individual possesses a unique blend of seven intelligences. Three others focus on catering to a range of learners through the provision of multimedia tasks, by self-directed learning and through…

A critical incident approach was used to analyze the discourse which took place during a visit by a class of 8- and 9-year olds to a gallery concerned with food at the Science Museum in London. Data collection, analysis, and interpretation are discussed. Suggests that a critical incident approach may be more generally helpful in analyzing the…

Describes a multimedia math activity for sixth-grade students who have access to a computer lab. Students work in groups and interview an adult who uses math in his or her job. Then, they write an explanatory narrative describing how that adult uses math. Finally, they create a KidPix video slideshow with voice overlays to share with the class.…

Describes the Crime Lab Project, which takes an economical, hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to studying the career of forensics in the middle or high school classroom. Includes step-by-step student requirements for the investigative procedure, a sample evidence request form, and an assessment rubric. (KHR)

A teacher of elementary deaf students describes the value of using "big books," which allow groups of students to share text and pictures, as an effective learning resource both for deaf students and for older students with learning disabilities. Seventeen big books in such areas as multicultural education, science and industry,…

Presents an online trivia game on laboratory safety. (YDS)

Suggests that children will become more constructively involved during outside play time if teachers and caregivers plan and implement outdoor learning centers and change them frequently. Identifies four kinds of play and describes appropriate learning center activities for each. (BB)

Illustrates how economic content and methodology contribute to citizenship education. States that economic courses should emphasize performance measures, the concept of scarcity, and risk management. Suggests that textbooks should become less important as instructional resources and that students should learn critical thinking skills through case…

Addresses the problem of lack of student motivation in an introductory course on U.S. politics. Describes a course centered around a small group project that requires students to gain government action on a group proposal. Presents project format. Discusses student successes and failures. Includes suggestions for course implementation. (RW)

Discusses the use of cooperative learning in advanced journalism and broadcasting courses. Presents two one-semester studies, "snapshots" of how a group of students tackled team reporting and how a group of broadcast regulation students dealt with group argumentation. Notes the lack of serious theoretical development to guide journalism…